Amblyopia: causes and treatments
Amblyopia is one of the main causes of low vision. However, detected and quickly taken care of, it is treated quite easily. The causes and treatments are detailed.
An imperative: treat amblyopia before the age of 6
Amblyopia is linked to the brain, and in particular to what is called the "visual cortex." The latter "analyzes the messages" transmitted by the eyes. If one eye sends blurred or shifted images, the cortex will neutralize this message to favor the other eye, with clearer messages.
All this happens when vision develops , from the birth. It is therefore necessary to be vigilant because the two eyes do not necessarily develop in the same way and at the same time. Amblyopia is a delay in the development of one eye, which can go as far as the absence of development.
The main difficulty lies in the fact that a child will not complain no less see with one eye, because it is in full development phase and has no comparative element. However, after 6 years, amblyopia becomes permanent. This is why screening is imperative, in particular because this anomaly can be treated quite easily.
Most often, it is caused by strabismus in one eye or by a refraction problem. Amblyopia can be unilateral or, more rarely, bilateral (affecting both eyes). Refractive disorders are one of the causes. Indeed, if one eye has a different refraction from the other, the brain will favor the "good eye".
There are other causes of amblyopia, including disease. These should be treated in a very individualized way, depending on the cause.
Easy to treat, if amblyopia is diagnosed in time
To quickly treat amblyopia, simply mask the eye that has no problem, to force the brain to develop the eye that needs it. After some time, the vision will balance between the two. Another treatment will allow consolidation.
The problem of strabismus is the same as for refraction. A strabismus should alternate between the two eyes as vision develops. If only one eye is struck by strabismus, it is absolutely necessary to hide the other eye to force the latter to focus.
Parents may mention to their optician problems of strabismus of their young children. It is advisable to recommend the visit to a specialist because, in the case of amblyopia, you will have understood it, time is running out!
